Method and means for preserving perishable articles



Aug. a, 1926. 1,594,794 E. B. NICOLAIT METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRESERVING PERISHABLE ARTICLES Filed August 12, 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 1 ammo/14km Aug. 3 1926. 1,594,794

E. B. NICOLAIT I METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRESERVING PERISHABLE ARTICLES Filed August 12, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l I l I i gvwmwtoz Aug. 3 1926. 1,594,794

E. B. NICOLAIT METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRESERVING PERISHABLE ARTICLES Filed August 12, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 3, 1926.

" assent EUGENE B. NIGOLAIT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

METHOD AND MEAN S FOR PRESERVING PERISHABLE ARTICLES.

Application filed August 12, 1922. Serial No. 581,504.

This invention relates generally to the wrapping or packaging of substances which are subject to deterioration in the air, and particularly relates to the creation of a sterile or preserving aseous atmosphere about the object during t is wrapping operation.

A method of preserving such substances as ice cream, bread and the like, which consists in the carrying out of the mixing operations in an inert gaseous medium such as carbon dioxide, has recently been developed. This method is understood to have given successful results within its scope but it is open to the objection that it does not take into account the relatively great and rapid deterioration which takes place on the surface of the food product or other substance when the material is exposed to the action of bacteria, mold spores, and other injurious agencies found in the air.

The present invention provides for the creation of a neutral or sterile atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, about and surrounding the object to be preserved during the wrapping or packaging operation, the immediate sealing of the package serving to maintain the sterile atmosphere within the package and surrounding the object indefinitely or until such time as the package is broken in order to use the contained material. Preferably the ap lication of .the sterile gas to the object is e ected by blowin the gas into direct engagement with the oiject during the wrapping operation so that the force of the gas streams serve to mechanical- 1 remove dust and mold sporesfrom the surfiice-of the object and thereby assist in the preserving function.

In the particular embodiment of the invention hereinafter shown and described, a bread wrapping machine is arranged to have streams of carbon dioxide projected against the surface of each successive loaf as it undergoes the wrapping operation in such manner as to completely surround the loaf within the wrapper with an atmosphere of the inert gas. Means are also provided to prevent wastage of the gas and to maintain a pocket or mass of the gas into which each loaf enters and is immersed preparatory to the wrapping operation. Other features of the invention will be hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view in side elevation of a bread wrapping machine equipped witha device embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of a gas receptacle or container for use in the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view'in side elevation of a portion of the machine shown in Figure 1 and showing a loaf in position preparatory to the wrapping operation and showing the flooding of the region surrounding the loaf with gas.

Figure 4; is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the first step in the operation of wrapping the loaf and also showing the continued supply of gas.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a further step in the wrapping operation and a continued supply of gas.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing a further step in the wrapping operation and the cessation of a portion of the supply of gas.

Fi ure 7 is a view in perspective of gas supp ying devices used in the operation of the apparatus. Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention a bread wrapping machine is shown in Figure l of the drawing equipped with gas supplying nozzles 10 and 11 for flooding a compartment or space 12 in the machine with a suitable neutral or sterile gas and forcing the gas into the enveloping relation to the successive loaves as they are wrapped by the operation of the mechanism shown generally at 13.

In order to carryout the operation of wrapping a loaf of bread'a conveyor 14 carries a succession of loaves 15 and deposits them one after another on the head or platform 16 of a vertically movable plunger carrier 17 in the base of the compartment 12 in the framework of the machine. The plunger 17 then rises and moves the loaf against a sheet of waxed paper 18 which is fed into position from a suitable roll in any desired manner between operations of the plunger. Simultaneously with the clutching in of the mechanism to start the wrapping devices into operation a sterile or neutral gas is discharged from laterally disposed openings in the elongated nozzle mem here 10 and 11 flanking both sides of the loaf containing compartment 12 as is indicated in Figure 1 of the drawing.

The continued rise of the plunger 17 car ries the loaf with the overlying paper sheet- 18', which has meanwhile been severed by the action of a shear blade, into engage ment with a stop plate included in the wrapping mechanism and between the vertically positioned clan'iping plates 21 and carried by the actuating arms 2-3 and 2t. It will be seen that in this position of the ports the nozzles 10 and 11 continue to discharge streams of gas beneath the trailing ends and 26 of the wrapping sheet 18 and into engagement with the bread loaf 15 as indicated in Figure l.

In Figure 5 of the drawing is illustrated a further step in the operation in which a movable member 27 moves in its own plane to the left to fold the right-hand end or flap 26 of the sheet 18 beneath and against the bottom of the loai, the plunger 17 having moved downwardly when the bread was clamped between the plates 21. and .lt will be seen that the nozzles 10 and it continue to discharge their streams of gas in this relative position of the parts of the wrapper inechai'iism so that the inner face of the left-hand flap or end of the cover sheet 18 and the angle included between the flap and the bottom of the loaf is flooded with the gas.

In the next following step in the operation the clamp member 21 is lifted out of engagement with the left hand side of the loaf whereupon the member 22 is projected to the left to push the wrapped loaf out of wrapping position, the movement of the loaf to the left causing the flap or end member 25 of the cover sheet ,to be folded to the right in. overlapping engagement with the other flap 26, as is indicated in Figure 6 of the drawings. It will also be seen in Figure (3 that the discharge of gas from the left-hand nozzle 10 is stopped at thisstep in the operation to prevent wastage of gas which would engage the outer surface of the adjacent flap member. The ren'iaining nozzle 11. however continues to discharge gas into the space between the closing (lap 25 and the loaf until the flap has reached its final position 'in overlying relation to the previously folded flap 26. As the loaf moves to the left it passes over heated plates which melt the parafiine or other wax sufiiciently to fuse the surfaces of the flaps together to provide a seal when the Wrapped loaf has cooled in the course of its travel on a conveyor which receives the loaves as they leave the wrapping devices.

In order to still further insure the flooding of the loaf with the inert gas a container or receptacle 30, shown independently in Figure 2 of the drawing, is arranged to be fitted in place in the opening or compartment 12 to provide bottom, end and side walls forn'iing a chamber in which the sterile gas such as carbon dioxide which is heavier than air, will collect and remain to provide a gaseous atmosphere of the desired type in which the loaves are successively innnersed as they are deposited on the head of the elevating plunger 17. The receptacle 30, preferably has adjustable connections with the machine and is itself adjustable in size to litvarions forms and sizes of loaves or rakes. In order to facilitate observation of the contents of the container glass sight openings or windows 31 are preferably provided in the side walls of the container. Suitable curtains of textile material may be employed to prevent .escape of the gas at the entry and exit points of the loaves.

In order to ellectively control the supply of gas to the discharge and delivery nozzles 10 and ll a master control valve 3:2 is provided in the main conduit 33 leading from the sup ily reservoir Ill. This valve 32 is arrangeil to be operated through the opera tion of a. clutch lever or other lever for stark ing and stopping the operation of the wrapping mechanism. ln this way I insure that there will be no wasteful flow of gas when the machine is not in operation. Referring to Figures 1 and T the starting lever $.35 through a link 36 operates the rock arm 37 which in tnrnoperates a link 38 having direct connection with a clutch lever 39. rock arm 37 is arranged to actuate a rock arm 40 to operate the valve A further valve control feature includes branch gas conduits 4-1 and 42 containing valves 43 and 44. Valve ll controls the discharge of gas from nozzle 10 and is controlled by a rock arm 45 and cam 46 so formed as to shut off the discharge of gas from the nozzle 10 as the loat' begins to move to close the second flap as shown in Figure t; Valve 43 controls nozzle 11 and shuts oil the discharge of gas through the operation of the ram 47 and rocker arm 48 when the second flap has reached its final closed position. The valves remain closed until another loaf enters the chamber to undergo the wrapping operation.

While I have particularly described my invention as applied to a bread wrapping machine, it will be clear that the invention is capable of general application in the preserving of bodies or masses of solids of any description which tend to deteriorate under normal or under humid or other atmospheric conditions. In addition tobread I contemplate the use of the invention in connection with the preservai ion of cake, butter, cheese, meats, chewing gum, tobacco,

confectionery, cereals, macaroni, spaghetti,

noodles, coffee, tea, crackers, dried fruits, dried fish and for any other substance where a wrapped material can be protected from deterioration. The invention may be practiced in connection with the referred to process for preserving materials by mix- The Cir

ing them in inert atmospheres or separately therefrom as circumstances may require.

What I claim is:

1. In a bread wrapping-apparatus, an upwardly opening container for an inert gas, means for delivering the successive loaves into the container, means for moving each loaf against a wrapper sheet and into the wrapping mechanism of the apparatus, container wall members arranged to cooperate with the wrapper sheet to confine the gas, and means for discharging inert gas against each loaf as it moves into the wrapping mechanism and during the wrapping operation.

2. In a bread wrapping apparatus, wrapping mechanism, means for moving each successive loaf upwardly against a wrapper sheet and into the wrapping mechanism, wall members flanking the upward path of movement of the loaf into the wrapping mechanism for confining the mass of gas, said wall members being provided with perforations through which to discharge inert gas against opposite sides of the loaf as it is lifted, the laterally extending portions of the wrapper sheet cooperating with said wall members to confine the gas as the loaf is raised, said perforations continuing to discharge gas against the bottom of the loaf during the operation of folding the ends of wall members flanking the upward path of movement of the loaf into the wrapping mechanism for confining the mass of gas, said Wall members being provided with perforations through which to discharge inert gas against opposite sides of the loaf as it is lifted, said perforations continuing to discharge gas against the bottom of the loaf when it has entered the wrapping mechanism, the laterally extending portions of the wrapper sheet cooperating with said wall members to contine the gas as the loaf is raised, means movable laterally to fold one end of the sheet against the bottom of the loaf, and means for movin the leaf laterally to fold the remaining enc of the sheet, and means for cutting ofi' the supply of gas from the adjacent discharging means during the folding of the end to prevent wastage of gas.

EUGENE B. NIGGLAIT. 

